Abortion: meaning, definitions and examples

๐Ÿ‘ถ
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abortion

 

[ ษ™หˆbษ”หrสƒ(ษ™)n ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

medical procedure

Abortion is the deliberate termination of a human pregnancy, most often performed during the first 28 weeks of pregnancy.

Synonyms

termination, termination of a pregnancy, termination of pregnancy.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
abortion

Commonly used in everyday conversation, news, and personal discussions. It's often used when referring to the act of ending a pregnancy, regardless of the circumstances.

  • She decided to have an abortion because she wasn't ready for a child.
  • The debate over abortion rights continues to be a hot topic.
termination

Typically used in medical or formal contexts. It can refer to the end of a process or activity, including a pregnancy. It might be chosen to avoid the emotional weight that 'abortion' carries.

  • The doctor discussed the possibility of termination given the health risks involved.
  • Termination of employment was necessary due to misconduct.
termination of pregnancy

Similar to 'termination of a pregnancy', this phrase is used in formal, medical, or legal contexts. It's less commonly used in everyday conversation but serves to be clear and precise.

  • Counselors are available to discuss all aspects of termination of pregnancy.
  • The law regarding termination of pregnancy varies from state to state.
termination of a pregnancy

A more specific and formal way to refer to ending a pregnancy, often found in medical or legal documents.

  • The procedure for termination of a pregnancy was explained in detail by the healthcare provider.
  • Decisions about termination of a pregnancy are deeply personal and complex.

Examples of usage

  • Many countries have laws regulating abortion.
  • She decided to have an abortion due to health concerns.
  • The debate over abortion rights continues to be a controversial issue.
  • Access to safe and legal abortion is a fundamental reproductive right.
  • Abortion rates have been declining in recent years.
Context #2 | Noun

informal usage

Abortion is also used informally to refer to the ending or abandoning of something before it is completed.

Synonyms

abandonment, premature ending, termination.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
abortion

Typically used when discussing medical or political topics related to the intentional ending of a pregnancy.

  • She decided to have an abortion due to health risks
  • The debate on abortion rights continues to divide communities
termination

Used in formal or legal contexts to refer to bringing something to an end, such as employment, services, or contracts.

  • Her employment was terminated after repeated violations of company policy
  • The termination of the lease was finalized last week
premature ending

Used when something is concluded earlier than expected; often seen in project or event contexts.

  • The party came to a premature ending due to bad weather
  • His career suffered a premature ending because of an injury
abandonment

Often used in emotional or psychological contexts; refers to leaving someone or something behind, usually causing distress. Can also refer to legal situations where someone leaves their responsibilities.

  • The child's feeling of abandonment was evident when her parents left
  • The abandoned house stood empty for years

Examples of usage

  • The cancellation of the project was seen as an abortion of potential progress.
  • He described the decision to shut down the company as an abortion of their dreams.
  • The abrupt ending of the concert felt like an abortion of the evening's entertainment.

Translations

Translations of the word "abortion" in other languages:

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡น aborto

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ เค—เคฐเฅเคญเคชเคพเคค

๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ช Abtreibung

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ฉ aborsi

๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ะฐะฑะพั€ั‚

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฑ aborcja

๐Ÿ‡ฏ๐Ÿ‡ต ไธญ็ตถ (ใกใ‚…ใ†ใœใค)

๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท avortement

๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ aborto

๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ท kรผrtaj

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ท ๋‚™ํƒœ (naktae)

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ุฅุฌู‡ุงุถ

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ฟ potrat

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฐ potrat

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ณ ๅ •่ƒŽ (duรฒtฤi)

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฎ splav

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ธ fรณstureyรฐing

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ฟ ะฐะฑะพั€ั‚

๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ช แƒแƒ‘แƒแƒ แƒขแƒ˜

๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡ฟ abort

๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ aborto

Etymology

The word 'abortion' dates back to the mid-16th century, with its origins in Latin 'abortio' meaning 'miscarriage' or 'premature birth'. The modern medical usage to refer to the deliberate termination of a pregnancy emerged in the 19th century. The topic of abortion has been a subject of intense debate and controversy, touching on ethical, moral, religious, and legal issues.

See also: abort.

Word Frequency Rank

At #6,461 in frequency, this word belongs to advanced vocabulary. It's less common than core vocabulary but important for sophisticated expression.